Topic: Free Shipping (Winter Tires)

[TheMAN]

lol, so true. 

[Noobee]

OK, I'll touch on the shipping part.  Compared to what the dealer has including rims, I only save less than $100 CDN if I buy in the US AND if I pick them up there too.  This is with tirerack and that's buying rims and steelies x4.  The cost savings, if any depends on what tire you're buying too.  I also seen TireRack jacked up the price of their steel wheels which makes them a luke warm price, at best.  As far as buying Canadian goes.  Unless you're in some rural part of the country or where the business really is looking out for their customers, people, IMO, should buy where they get their best value.  Afterall, business is capitalism. Capitalism is legalized greed -- Conrad Black.

[rrocket]

OK, I'll touch on the shipping part.  Compared to what the dealer has including rims, I only save less than $100 CDN if I buy in the US AND if I pick them up there too.  This is with tirerack and that's buying rims and steelies x4.  The cost savings, if any depends on what tire you're buying too.  I also seen TireRack jacked up the price of their steel wheels which makes them a luke warm price, at best.  As far as buying Canadian goes.  Unless you're in some rural part of the country or where the business really is looking out for their customers, people, IMO, should buy where they get their best value.  Afterall, business is capitalism. Capitalism is legalized greed -- Conrad Black.

I've seen prices that have been close.  And like I said, in that case I might forgo buying in the USA.  But maybe for someone that $100 is alot of money.  The places seem to be fairly close on smaller tires...but seem a bit out of touch on larger/performance tires.

[sailor723]

I find US prices aren't always better enough to make it worthwhile. However,they are substantially better often enough to make it worthwhile to always check. It also helps if you are close to the border for pickups.

[DKaz]

1010 decided to use what I said about them (their steel wheels being really expensive) against me instead of using it as constructive criticism and giving me a better price, so really their loss. My local dealer quoted $84 per OE steel wheel which is on the higher side but they packaged it all up into a very nice overall price.

I find US prices aren't always better enough to make it worthwhile. However,they are substantially better often enough to make it worthwhile to always check. It also helps if you are close to the border for pickups.

I'm a 20 minute drive from the nearest US city... it's just that border wait that could add 15 minute two 2 hours to that trip. If I go during non peak and also take advantage of 70 cent a litre gas in the US, the trip is often worth it for me. Really I think it's just Tire Rack that's undercutting the rest of the market though, the rest of the US retailers including Discount Tire are not really that much cheaper than Canadian retailers, You can't get the more niche tires from Yokohama, Nokian, or Toyo for a better price in the US, just Bridgestone, Michelin, General, Hankook, etc. through Tire Rack.

[Noobee]

Speaking of tires in the US, I was chatting a bit with a Costco Rep not long ago and he told me a lot of Canadians buy their tires from Costco USA.  There must be some really stupid shopppers out there or some very risky shoppers cuz after you add the tax and duty, Costco USA isn't any cheaper at all then buying from a local Costco in Canada. However, like rrocket posted earlier, the larger or bigger the tire, the more of a saving when buying in the USA. The same can usually be said about buying a car in the USA too and importing it back to Canada (the more expensive, the better deal).

[ktm525]

Speaking of tires in the US, I was chatting a bit with a Costco Rep not long ago and he told me a lot of Canadians buy their tires from Costco USA.  There must be some really stupid shopppers out there or some very risky shoppers cuz after you add the tax and duty, Costco USA isn't any cheaper at all then buying from a local Costco in Canada. However, like rrocket posted earlier, the larger or bigger the tire, the more of a saving when buying in the USA. The same can usually be said about buying a car in the USA too and importing it back to Canada (the more expensive, the better deal).

Risky shoppers? A ski weekend in Montana. The rest I have no idea what you are talking about. Tax applies to either purchase. Yes a non-compliant shopper will avoid duty. The savings in my size 235/45-17 and performance (Z rated) adds up to a savings of $200-$300

[rrocket]

Speaking of tires in the US, I was chatting a bit with a Costco Rep not long ago and he told me a lot of Canadians buy their tires from Costco USA.  There must be some really stupid shopppers out there or some very risky shoppers cuz after you add the tax and duty, Costco USA isn't any cheaper at all then buying from a local Costco in Canada. However, like rrocket posted earlier, the larger or bigger the tire, the more of a saving when buying in the USA. The same can usually be said about buying a car in the USA too and importing it back to Canada (the more expensive, the better deal).

Risky shoppers? A ski weekend in Montana. The rest I have no idea what you are talking about. Tax applies to either purchase. Yes a non-compliant shopper will avoid duty. The savings in my size 235/45-17 and performance (Z rated) adds up to a savings of $200-$300

If you are away for a weekend...you are allowed to bring back $500 duty free.....(IIRC)...So if you and the wife each buy a wheel/tire...you pay no duty....

[sailor723]

I've never been charged duty when I've gone to the US and picked up tires shipped to the UPS depot regardless of the country of origin. The CBS guys around here only seem interested in collecting the HST (13% in NB) on what you spent and are really keen on whether you have any booze or tobacco.   No one has ever asked where stuff was manufactured.
It seems that if you have stuff shipped to you in Canada from the US then all the forms get filled out and if there is duty applicable it gets charged.

[wing]

I only ever pay GST/PST as well, I don't think they want to bother.

[blur911]

I only ever pay GST/PST as well, I don't think they want to bother.

Last time I brought over stuff and asked if there was any duty the guy said "Well, I'd have to go out to your car to check the country of origin, do you want me to do that?"

I knew the right answer.

[RabidRabbit]

I mean really, how are you supposed to compete with that?

Now if you add into the fact the Customs people are not charging duty, and the Canadian suppliers are being charged duty when the tires come into Canada from overseas... That's not a fair fight.

[Noobee]

Fair fight?  How about someone going across to the US once in a blue moon and spends $300 in the day while someone going every other weekend spending the same amount each time, for the same period and the casual traveller gets sent in to pay GST and PST.